this edition maps the cultural doubt–expressed as a new ever-present ethos of undermine, sarcasm–in the wake of world triumph; how American prosperity after WWII leads to impoverishment–i.e. commodity fetishism. together, we’ll place paradise in post-war Florida.

Some questions to consider:

is there tension between popular culture and art? are our significations congruent with their signified…further, always ever-there to create a dissonant, ironic space for critique and laughter? can objectification (commodity, sexual etc) be celebrated? is there a meaningful difference between advertising and art? if the “medium is the message,” what of the entertainment park that proffers a moral code?

the ersatz superstructure–a post-modern ideology of surface, superficiality–marks an upsurge of the replacement that is profferred as the original. our culture of imago (which is, like for Benjamin, our loss of aura) leads to consumerism (a clamor of/for replacable objects). we find commodification of culture, media as reality (virtual real), the ascension of marketplace, and the person (e.g. celebrity) as a saleable object.
In this rising pomo culture: superficiality is redeemed as really all there is. Andy Warhol embodies this ethos: “If you want to know all about Andy Warhol, just look at the surface of my paintings and films and me, and there I am. There’s nothing behind it.” The origin is to be forever lost and irretraceable if at all ever present, and so we seek truth in the blur, in the smear. When kitsch is king the merchants of culture race to purvey depthlessness by haranguing the surface. But the careful attention to language is also an homage to its power and a distraction from the struggle for justice, freedom, and peace.

Florida has been forever propagandized as a dream, but this dream has shifted… away from the frog and snake hunts of old. Unadulterated land brings frustration, but also freedom and relief. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings explains: “We cannot live without the earth or apart from it, and something is shriveled in a man’s heart when he turns away from it and concerns himself only with the affairs of men” (Cross Creek, 2). On the other bank is paradiso in transition to a virtual reality of crass commercialism. Enter: air conditioning, DDT, and Super-Targets! The approach of creating a “workable environment” rather than working in one’s environment presents the main contrast between the ersatz Mouse Empire and Cross Creek experience. But both represent ideals that were realized in Florida, a state with a mythic proportion that professes an ability to satisfy all desires. This ability is constructed such that desire can be sated through fakery! to make sure paradise can be bought and sold!

come, explore with me how propaganda and power manipulate the populace–into believing the dream as virtually real. Listen to the placing of paradise per the ersatz superstructure: ersatz superstructure

preprare la revolucion!

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Sun, 09 May 2010 14:35:48 +0000elles09https://elliechua.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/law-grace-i/Snippets i caught from today that prolly needs more thought.

Grace is an exception, not a general rule.

How many times have we taken that for granted?

Don’t just give people what they deserve (law), give them what they NEED (grace).

I find myself having a lot of examples coming to mind when it comes to this one. Have we found the balance between law and grace? I’m learning.

Why do those who preach about grace are the ones who are the last to show it?

Ah, ouch. X marks the spot eh? :)

Many times, people quit something…or quit ‘someone’, it’s because :

…it’s no longer satisfying.

…they’ve found something better.

I’ll leave you to your own thoughts on this one ;) I just have to say that ‘better’ can be very subjective to the beholder.

Word for the season : Acts 20:22-24

22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Let’s do this. I sure don’t know HOW. But perhaps, living life knowing that ‘lo, You are with me always’ would help more than just a ‘lil’ bit.

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Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:30:57 +0000Edenhttps://sanitywanes.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/dali-disney-dream-mix/Oh my word! My one friend showed me this video the other day and I almost died!

On viewing this short film which was started in 1946 I had a filmgasm! It was a collaboration between Salvador Dali (The surrealist artist on which I posted) as well as none other than Walt Disney himself! The film is based on a Greek Myth and was never completed. The storyboards were all the artists had to go by and now… it has finally been completed!

The film is very Dali- escque, and its incredible to see his paintings in motion! Disney is also very evident however, in the movement and in the designs of the main characters. Very creepy, very dream-like and simply marvelous! Please do yourself a favour and Watch It!!!

Got quite a scare today. I just realised…i could’ve died. Instead of Jesus taking the wheel, Jesus took the brakes. Literally. Will share more when i’m not so dazed. All you need to know is…i’m safe. And still sound. I hope.

Work’s been busy. Trying to squeeze in more time for myself whenever i can. But really, time for myself ends up being me, sitting on bed, daydreaming. Anxious dreams.

It’s U-Turn. I’m daniel-fasting again. Everytime i see McD’s, i go nearly wild. And i literally dream of chocolate. Another 12 more days. Believing for my breakthroughs. I think…U-Turn has never been this tough, nor meant this much.

I guess I may just have thrown some of you in the deep end there with Peter van Straten. Not everyone is familiar with art history so let me explain myself a little more…

Surrealism came after the Dadaist movement around the 1920’s, and through visual correlations to Dada artists, may have been born from the movement. Surrealism was essentially the work of artists and writers who sought to express the process of unconscious thought. It went against the rational thought which was thought (by surrealists) to suppress the creative mind.

Although Salvador Dali was certainly not the first surrealist artist, he surly is the first to be thought of in connection with the movement due to the extent to which he embodied it. Dali was brilliant, and a complete nutcase! As he himself put it, “There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane… I know that I am mad!” Dali was not just a surrealist painter… he lived surrealism in his day to day life. This eccentric man courted his future wife (whom he adored) with such tactics as dying his armpit hair green. He would also do things like attend lectures with a lobster on his head and his foot in a bucket.

Very strange man. But I think he’s awesome!!! Here are a few of my favorite works from him (although its very hard to choose!). Please go see more of them on the website!

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Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:15:01 +0000Edenhttps://sanitywanes.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/south-african-surrealist/Well, I think that I am honestly getting better sleep lately as I don’t seem to remember much about my dreams. I only remember fragments that would be pointless to type out if their contexts are lost.

So instead, I want to show you the work of the artist Peter van Straten.

Surrealism brings to mind such names as Dali and even Magritte, but I’d like to focus your attention on the work of someone closer to home. The surrealist paintings of Peter van Straten are not only breathtakingly beautiful, they are also poetically named. The first time I came across his work was the first time I visited the Irma Stern museum where he was exhibiting at the time. His work portrays dream-like imagery of a fascinating nature, and a visual guide into the subconsciousness. Below are but a few of his paintings, and I strongly suggest that you see the rest of his work on his website.

If you’re an Internet junkie (which you must be to an extent if you’re reading this blog!) then you should know the site www.albinoblacksheep.com. It just happens to have the most bizarre and (to be blatantly honest) time-wasting content on the planet, which is a delight for those with nothing to do. If you’re wondering what all this has to do with dreaming, I suggest you search for Tim Jewel’s “Drawn Dream” Series. It’s utterly random, hilariously dark and completely senseless… just like real dreams usually are! One of my favorite Internet Flash animation series, but I suggest that you don’t stop there, albinoblacksheep is a fun and educating way to spend a sleepless night (Not to mention a brilliant way to develop inside jokes between you and your friends!) Later…

Goodnight.

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Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:05:33 +0000elles09https://elliechua.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/earth-turns-slowly/This whole week…flew by, without me knowing. Funny how 2010 starts off…’busy’. Work. And more work. Lol! It’s nice having things to do. I never did like being idle but…i’m appreciating the breather tonight. Staying home and filling my calendar with important dates. Thoughts of the day : 2010 is gonna be amazing.

I wanted to write a proper new year blogpost. And i stopped myself for some reason. Guess only You know the plans You have for me this year :)

I have ONE new year resolution though! And that is : To be fully present wherever i am and whoever i’m with. Am inspired once again by Tuesdays with Morrie, on how he dealt and connected with people. And i wanna do that. I find myself daydreaming too often. And i WANT to be fully present.

*****

I’m addicted to Fireflies by Owl City. Overplayed, yes. But as of now, it’s an earworm i can’t get rid of.

I’d like to make myself believe…that planet Earth turns slowly. It’s hard to say that i’d rather stay awake, when i’m asleep. Because my dreams are bursting at the seams.

I find myself being more guarded than before. Give me time. Maybe i’ll be more ‘fun’ as i learn the art of being fully present. I want to be able to feel like i have something to offer. And perhaps when i learn that, flowing with everyone else should be much easier.

I hope.

*****

I’d love to watch ten million fireflies. Sit on a swing. Wear a flowy green dress. And run barefooted. I feel liberated, just even imagining that i could do all these things. And i think of You. Oh, i love.

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Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:15:37 +0000elles09https://elliechua.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/the-power-of-a-true-story/I’m believing for a life-changing night at AYA Awards tomorrow! Its so inspiring to hear all the stories of the finalists…what makes them tick and how THEY would continue to inspire others. AYA Awards is just a stepping stone in allowing them to tell their stories, encourage and inspire others who aspire to get their own breakthroughs. I see seeds being sown. Lord, Your will be done even right now as preparations are *still* being made ;)

Mich and i will be heading the Finalist Attendants team and i’m personally looking forward to meeting each and every one of them! Amazing people. Some of whom i’ve met a few years back…it’s amazing how our paths would cross again :) This time through an avenue i believe whole-heartedly in.

I’m excited! :)

I start work in my new job officially on Monday. Another exciting journey and chapter ahead :) Am believing for my own story!

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Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:09:27 +0000elles09https://elliechua.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/capture-me-with-grace/That’s the word i keep hearing lately. God, You capture me with grace even as i am being led into this new phase of my life.

You are the source of life, I can’t be left behind. No one else will do, i will take hold of You… – Rescue by Desperation Band

I’m fearful and excited at the same time. Fearful, that i might not live up to my own expectations of how a young working adult should lead her life. Fearful that i might not be an influencer but instead, be influenced. Fearful that i’m just not…’good enough’.

But God, Your ways are higher than mine. Your thoughts are higher than mine. I shall not limit You by what *i* think. I will not limit your blessings over my life. I trust that You opened this door for a purpose that i do not know yet. I have no other options to compare this one to…and my dateline is Monday. And so, i’m gonna trust that this is what You have in mind for me at this point in time.

The Lord is my shepherd, i shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters., he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil. For You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23

I can’t help but wonder though.

It may not be the way i would’ve chosen, when You lead me through a world that’s not my home. But You never said it would be easy…You only said i’d never go alone. – Ginny Owens ‘If You Want Me To’

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Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:07:06 +0000elles09https://elliechua.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/962/There are just times where you observe what’s happening around you. And you just get so upset. Angry. Frustrated. God, You work in this situations of which i’ve no control over.

So hard to fathom the pain in Your eyes
As You’re watching Your children, doing what You despise
In pursuit of our own
We just go round and round
Another nail to our cause
We continue to pound
What are you, man, if you do not learn love
What are you, man, if you do not learn love
So hard to fathom, oh, the feelings inside
As You’re watching Your people choosing to die
You called out a warning
To all that would hear
Saying come to Me, come to Me
And I will draw near
Learn love
I must
Learn love
Learn love
Learn love
Learn loveLearn love.

-Simply Nothing-Shawn McDonald-

God, help me learn love. It seems i don’t have enough to give. And there’s, this whole thing about waiting.

I’m here waiting for, something better just to come along
I’m here waiting all this time, waiting for the world
To change it’s mind.
I’m here waiting for something better to come along
I’ll take a chance on you, you take a chance to…

…consider me, consider you, consider the world
And what we put it through.

Jesus isn’t selfish. In Matthew 14, even when John The Baptist was beheaded, Jesus had to ‘postpone’ his mourning and minister to people first. Only after when he’s helped those who needed him, did he steal away to mourn.

Too often, i’ve caught myself saying or thinking…why should *i* make that sacrifice. To do something when i could do something else. To wait just a little bit longer. To drive just a little bit farther. To eat a little bit less. To watch what i say to someone when i know well he or she deserves to hear it. The phrase ‘keep the unity’ rings so clear.

God, You show me time and time again how i’m just a work in progress. I’d never be that perfect masterpiece. And yet…You give me hope that i can be.

I’m currently looking for a job. Praying, seeking…taking that leap of faith and believing that i’ll land where God wants me to be. Could’ve just taken up that ‘other’ job. But i felt it wasn’t for me. Not now. It was too easy. Too comfortable.

On a random note, i absolutely love picking my brother up from school. It gives me this secret thrill in watching these kids run (literally, run, as if they’re being chased by a pack of wolves) out of school, the moment the school bell rings. They’re so cute lah. How fast time flies. It was only…yesterday, that i was 7, in grandma specs and coconut hair…eating a whole hard-boiled egg to signify the first day of school.

I think that’s when i realised how much i disliked egg yolks. I was forced to eat that whole egg. And i almost puked.

When i grow up and have kids…and if one of them so happens to be a girl? She’s gonna have pigtails. And the tradition of eating hard-boiled eggs on the first day of school? I’m gonna let it slide.

I think an apple would do just fine. Anything that keeps the doctor away should keep the barf-level stable.